Stone-cutting machine.



M. AHEARN. STONE CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5.1914.

Patented May 4, 1915.

I Attorneys INC roN, D, c,

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'MICHAEL AHEABN, 01? DENVER, COLORADO.

STONE-CUTTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 4, 1915.

App1ication filed June 5, 1914. Serial No. 843,271.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that 1, MICHAEL AHEARN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Stone-Cutting Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to stone cutting apparatus, and aims to provide a novel and improved machine for cutting blocks of stone, marble or the like, into slabs.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a stone cutting apparatus embodying a unique assemblage of its component parts, and which is improved generally in its construction, to enhance the utility thereof.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is an end view of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmental detail in perspective of the band saw. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail taken on the line l4c of Fig. 2.

The present apparatus embodies a base frame 1 having an upper table 2, upon which is disposed a pair of fiat carriages 3. The carriages 8 are disposed side by side at the opposite sides of the longitudinal median line of the table 2, and are provided with longitudinal depending ribs 4: slidably engaging in longitudinal grooves or channels 5 provided in the upper surface or face of the table 2, to constrain the carriages for longitudinal sliding or reciprocatory movements from one end of the frame 1 or its table 2, to the other.

In order that the carriages 3 may be moved longitudinally, a longitudinal screw 6 is disposed below each of the carriages 3, and has its terminal portions journaled through bearings 7 formed upon the ends of the frame 1 adjacent the table 2, the carriages 3 having depending nut portions 8 embracing and threadedly engaging the screws 6 and working within longitudinal slots 9 provided in the table. Thus, when the screws 6 are rotated, the carriages 3 may be reciprocated or moved upon the table.

A longitudinal actuating shaft 10 is journaled through the frame 1 below the table 2, and midway between the sides thereof, and a pulley wheel 11 is keyed or secured upon the inner end of the actuating shaft 10 midway between the ends of the frame 1. An upper pulley wheel 12 is disposed above the lower pulley wheel 11, the lower pulley wheel being disposed completely below the table 2, and the pulley wheel 12 being supported as will presently appear. A pair of standards or uprights 13 are attached to the sides of the frame 1. and have their upper ends connected by a lintel or cross beam 1 1. The lintel or beam 1 1 is provided intermediate its ends with a vertical opening 15 forming a guide or slide way and having a bearing or yoke portion 16 connecting the lower end portions of the sides of the guide or slideway 15. A verticallv movable slide 17 is mounted between the sides or rails of the guide 15, above the yoke or bearing 16, and a U-shaped bracket 18 has one arm attached integrally to one side of the slide 17 and the upper ends of the arms of the bracket 18 are provided with bearings 19 between which the pulley wheel 12 is trunnioned or journaled. The lower portion of the pulley wheel 12 works through the bracket 18. V

In order to adjust the slide 17 vertically, an adjusting screw 20 is journaled through the bearing or yoke 16, and is constrained against vertical or longitudinal movement therethrough, a hand wheel 21 being secured upon the lower end of the screw 20, while that side of the slide 17 remote from the bracket 18 is provided with a projecting nut portion 22 threadedly engaging over the screw 20. Thus, when the screw 20 is rotated through the medium of' and 12, respectively, to provide two vertical runs cooperating with the respective carriages 3. The vertical runs of the band saw or endless cutter 23 pass through suitable openings or slots in the table 2, and through longitudinal slots 23 provided in the carriages 3. .Thus, the band saw or cutter passes through the carriages, but the carriages are free to move longitudinally without any interference between the band saw and carriages. The detail constructlon of the band saw 23 will be described hereinafter.

As a means for actuating the carriages 3, or the feed screws 6 thereof, a pair of gear wheels 24' are journaled to one end of the'frame 1, and 'intermesh with a pinion 25 keyed or secured upon the actuating shaft 10. The gear wheels 24' are provided upon their outer faces with diametrical channels or guides 26 within which are adjustablymounted the wrist pins 27, whereby' the wrist pins maybe adjusted at thedesired said end. The blocks'of stone,

radii with respect to thercenters-of the gear wheels 24:. Apair of links 28- have certain of their ends connected to -the wrist pins 27, and have their outer ends connected to levers 29 which arefulcrumed upon thecorresponding end portions of the; screws 6. Pawls or dogs 30 are carriedby the levers 29 and engage ratchet wheels 31 keyed or secured upon the screws 6 adjacent the levers 29. Itis also preferable to:- provide hand. wheels 82 upon the extremities of the screws-.6, outside of the ratchet wheels 31, in. order that the screws may be manually rotated when desired.

Coming tothe detail construction of the band saw or endless cutter, the same is provided .along'one edge, with a series of dovetailed recesses 33 in which are snugly fitted dove-tailed inserts 34:, and rivets or securingmembers85 are engaged between the 'beveledor inclined ends'of the dove-tailed recesses 33 and the inserts 34, to lock the inserts in place. The inserts 34; are equipped with: inset cutting elements 36, which may be of hardened steel, diamond, bort, or the like. That edge of the band saw 23 which is provided with the inserts 34, is. provided with notches 37 intermediate the. recesses. 33, to enable the band saw to flex readily as it passes over the pulley wheels 11 and 12'. The notches. or slots 37 also assist in carrying the pulverized stone from the kerfs or slots cut in the blocks of stone, as will be obvious. I

In operation, the carriages 3 are first. set atuthat. end of the frame 1 remote from the ratchet wheels 31, edges of the band saw 23 project toward the marble, or the like, 38, are then placed or seated upon thecarriages 3, and are moved tothe proper positions with respect to the vertical runs inasmuch. as the cutting of the band saw. Then, as the shaft 10 is driven by a prime mover or suitable source of power, the lower pulley wheel 11 will be rotated to actuate the band saw. The vertical runs of the band saw are then moved upwardly and downwardly," respectively,

through the slots 23 of the carrlages 3, it

being'possible to render the runs of the band saw taut, by sliding the slide 17 vertically through the medium of the adjusting screw 20. Now, as the shaft 10 rotates to actuate the band saw, the gear wheels 24' will berotated, and the wrist pins 27 will then reciprocate the links 28 to oscillatethe levers 29. The levers 29 being oscillated will cause the pawls or' dogs 30 to engage the ratchet wheels. 31 for properly rotating the feed screws 6 to move the carriages 3- with aslow intermittent or step by step movement from one end of the table 2 to the other. saw will cut slabs 39 from: the blocks of stone, marble, or the like, 38, when the carriages 3 have beenimoved sufficiently to the respective end of the frame. Then, by

releasing the pawl s or dogs 30, the screws 6 may be rotated in a reverse direction, by means of thehand: wheels32, to return the carriages 3 to normal or initial position for a repeated operation, the blocks 38-fbeing reset. upon the carriages as will be apparent. The operation may thus be repeated until the/blocks 38 have been completely sawed or cut intoslabs of anydesired thickness. The velocity of the carriages 3fmay be adjusted,.by adjusting the wrist pins 27 within the guides or channels 26 of the gear wheels 24, to regulate. the throw of I the links 28 which actuate the levers .29. The inset cutting: elements 36 of the band saw will serve to cut or saw the kerfs in the blocks of stone, marble, or the like, it being. preferable to pour water or other cooling and cleansing agent into the kerfs or'cuts made by the bandsaw. The pulverized stone may thusbe washedoutby the water, assisted: by the/notches or slots 37 which will catch the pulverized stoneto carry it outwardly.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the drawing, the advantages and'attributes-of the present. apparatus willbe obvious to those versed? the art, without further comment being necessary. Having thusfdescribed the invention. what is claimed as new is In an apparatus of the character described, a frame, a pair of carriages: disposed side by side and slidable longitudinally upon the frame, a; pair of feed screws carried by the frame below therespective carriages, the carriages having nut portions ing shaft carried by the frame below the carriages, adjustable meansoperatively con necting the driving shaft and the said feed screws, a pulley Wheel carried by the said driving shaft below the carriages, an upper adjustably mounted pulley, and a band saw trained around the said pulley Wheels, the

carriages having longltudinal slots through which the runs of the band saw pass.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

MICHAEL AHEARN.

Witnesses:

RAY F. SHANK, FREDRIGK A. WHITE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

